Is Older Horror Scarier?

[@mothman-jz8ug]

I am sure many would disagree, but I believe one big reason old horror being scarier lies in the fact that they are black and white. Yes, blood and gore look more ghastly in color, but overall color gave the films a more Disney fantasy look, rather than the creepy shadow world of B&W.

[@randycunningham7318]

I think you're right. B&W is eerie, uncanny.

[@moviemadness2536]

@mothman-jz8ug You know, I didn't consider that, but the creepy atmosphere black and white brings to horror might have something to do with it. It is pretty telling that every movie I brought up was in black and white.

[@Nunya_Bidness_53]

Horror and terror are two different things. Horror, you look away Terror, you want to look away but can't.

[@moviemadness2536]

Well, the movies I went over have plenty of both. That's what makes them so scary.

[@JillDinardo-mb6ii]

Character development,less jump scares and no CGI,I would say YES!

[@moviemadness2536]

Yeah, older horror movies had to get more creative to scare audiences. And honestly, in many ways it may have been more effective, too.

[@Gazebo48]

You did a very good job of highlighting how older films arrived at horror via the use of cinematography, story telling and character arcs. While I enjoy many modern horror movies and their visceral jolts to the eyes and ears, movies like Mad Love, Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu are still for me the most re-watchable

[@moviemadness2536]

Thank you, it's always nice to hear that I did a good job. And it is true, some people just don't give older horror movies the credit they deserve.

[@geraldmartin7703]

Note the painting in the left of the screen @12:21.

[@moviemadness2536]

Holy crap, I edited the video and even I didn't notice that! Excellent observation there, it only further proves my point.

[@derekroberts6654]

1967? That year changed EVERYTHING from music and movies..

[@moviemadness2536]

Yep, a lot happened that year.

[@rickriffel6246]

The Beast with Five Fingers (1946) is a movie that adhered to the Hays Code--and still pushed the envelope. Peter Lorre has top billing, but the real star is the special effects of that crawling hand, a severed body part with a raw stump for a wrist. It's gruesome, but not no such as many later moves rated R, but its creepiness and scare power still hold up.

[@moviemadness2536]

Yeah, that another good example of eerie older horror. The hand, as well as Lorre's reaction to it, are both pretty creepy. Though what also helps is that, as you said, the effects for the hand are pretty great.

[@larrymrobinson1051]

The old horror films had a disturbing atmosphere to them that you just don't see anymore!

[@moviemadness2536]

Ain't that be true.

[@derekroberts6654]

“Cabinet of Calagari” could’ve been a David Lynch movie if made in the latter days.

[@moviemadness2536]

It's got a similarly creepy vibe, I'll give you that. But seriously, that's one horror film that holds up just as well now as it did in 1920.

[@frugalwitch]

Nellie Bly was a real journalist who went undercover into a mental asylum. She wrote “Ten Days in a Madhouse “ in 1887.

[@moviemadness2536]

Than that might be where Samuel Fuller got some of his inspiration for Shock Corridor.

[@paulvoorhies8821]

Late 60s and 70s is, generally speaking.

[@FucTrump]

Mainstream horror today is nothing but blood, guts and jump scares. Somewhere along the line, it's almost like people forgot that TRUE horror is entirely psychological. It's the darkest elements of our reality, presented with a mask of supernatural fantasy. Think of any great horror classic of the past, and ask yourself, "What's it really about when you strip it down to it's bones? The Exorcist, for instance, on it's surface, is a story of demonic possesion. At it's core though, it's the story of a child being tortured. The Shining, on it's surface is about a writer, riddled with demons, who goes to a haunted hotel and gradually goes berserk. At it's core, it's a story about a man who harms his family. Rosemarys baby is about Satanism that depicts the literal existence of the devil. At it's core, it's the story of a person being manipulated, gaslit, exploited and tortured by the people she trusts the most. True horror is your most horrific reality in the guise of your worst nightmare

[@moviemadness2536]

I'd say that sums it all up quite nicely. Excellent analysis.

[@REDN0AK]

hey is it me or is the voice-over kinda slowed down? at 1.25 normal speed sound just a little wee bit to fast

[@moviemadness2536]

No, there's no vocal manipulation. It wasn't digitally slowed down. Sorry if I talk a little slow.